As per Registrar General of India & Census report 2011 the total farmers or cultivators

population of India is 118.7 million (2011) & 144.3 million agricultural workers/labourers
which consists 31.55 ot total rural population.

The grim picture is the total numbers of farmers because we always see in percentage.
During 1951 the total numbers of cultivators & workers including was 97.2 million (32.55
of total rural population & 26.92 of total population) million but during 2011 it was 263
million (31.55 of total rural population & 21.71 of total population).
If we can assume the same level of percentage as 2011 for 2015 then total agricultural
workers (farmers & labourers) population will be around 273 million.
Now come to the 2nd point
Around 79% farmers are small & medium where 14% are landless farmer.
Farmers by land ownership (In %)

A recent survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi, and
released by NGO Lokniti, State of Indian Farmers: A Report, conducted in 274 villages
spread over 137 district of 18 Indian states, has found that a big proportion of Indian
farmers are dissatisfied with their condition and would like to shift to cities, if
opportunities arise.
In that survey most of the farmers think that city life is better than villages
(In %)

65 per cent farmers said that other members from the family also helped in activities
related to farming.
Around 62% farmers are ready to quit farming if they get good job (In %)

The survey found that nearly three-fourths (72%) of farmers like their profession &
around 22% farmers said they do not like doing farming.
Among those who said they like farming, 60% like it as it is their
ancestraloccupation, 15% feel a sense of pride in being a farmer, while 10% said
that they like farming as it gives them a good income.Another 10% said they
just simply enjoy doing farming.
What are the reasons of the 22% who dislike farming? 36% farmers said lack of a
good income is the main reason for their dislike of farming. 18% of those who
dislike farming said they are doing it only because of family pressure. 16%
say that they see no future in this sector. 9% said that they wish to do
another job, while 7% consider farming stressful or risky and hence do not like
doing it.
Farmer Interest in farming (in %)

Reason of liking farming (in %)

Most farmers from eastern and southern states of India rate the condition of farmers
more negatively than their counterparts in other regions. Western and Central India
farmers are least unhappy with the farmers condition.
Overall Condition of Farmers is perceived to be bad in Most States (in %)

The major problem faced by Indian farmers (as per farmers view in %)

Region wise problem faced by farmers (farmers view in %)

Conclusion- The overall situation of farmer is in very bad shape due to so many
reasons. The main reason is profitability & availability of high cost input. Whereas
Irrigation, labour, marginal size of land & flood/drought issues are the major in farming.
The labour issue increase after MANERGA in agriculture sector. Farmers can increase
their produce yield with help of good irrigation facilities (like river linking project can
help all India farmers), mechanisation, cooperative/contact farming and with high
yielding varieties.